Baker City adjusts water billing schedule, compensates for May delay

Baker City officials released a notice on December 22 explaining that the city updated its water billing method in April and May and completed a reconciliation of meter readings with customer accounts. The reconciliation led to adjustments that appeared on May and June statements, and a software transition caused utility billing to fall approximately 30 days behind, resulting in no water bill being sent in May.

Under the revised schedule meters are read every other month from April through November. Usage recorded in those readings is billed in two equal monthly installments. Meters are not read from December through March, and during those months customers are billed base charges only. Beginning with the June and July billing cycle customers have been billed based on usage from their most recent meter reading.

Water usage is measured in units, with one unit equal to roughly 750 gallons. The base charge includes three units of water. Any usage exceeding the base amount is billed at a rate of $1.13 per additional unit. Most residential accounts are charged $96.93 per month during months when meters are not read. That amount is made up of a $53.28 water base charge, a $33.65 sewer base charge, and a $10 public safety fee.

City finance staff said the next three months will be used to gradually shorten the gap between the end of a billing period and the bill date. Officials expect the billing cycle to be fully realigned by the March billing and at that time issues affecting automatic payments will also be resolved. During the transition residents may temporarily discontinue automatic payments or set a maximum payment amount with their bank to manage withdrawals.

The schedule change and the backlog have practical implications for households that rely on predictable monthly bills or use automatic payments. A delayed or larger than expected statement can affect household budgeting, particularly for seniors and residents on fixed incomes. Finance staff are available to review billing statements in person or by phone for anyone with questions or concerns.

The city framed the adjustments as a technical correction following necessary software updates and reconciliations. For residents the immediate steps are to review recent statements carefully, monitor bank accounts for upcoming withdrawals, and contact city finance staff if a billing line item or timing needs explanation.